Journal article
Quantification of breast tissue density: Correlation between single-sided portable NMR and micro-CT measurements
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Vol.62, pp.111-120
2019
PMID: 31176808
Abstract
Mammographic density (MD) is a strong independent risk factor for breast cancer. Traditional screening for MD using X-ray mammography involves ionising radiation, which is not suitable for young women, those with previous radiation exposure, or those having undergone a partial mastectomy. Therefore, alternative approaches for MD screening that do not involve ionising radiation will be important as the clinical use of MD increases, and as more frequent MD testing becomes desirable for research purposes. We have previously demonstrated the potential utility of spin relaxation-based, single-sided portable-NMR measurements for the purpose of MD quantification. We present here a more refined analysis by quantifying breast tissue density in excised samples on a continuous scale (0% to 100% fibroglandular tissue content) using micro-CT (μCT), and comparing the results to spin-relaxation and diffusion portable-NMR measurements of the same samples. μCT analysis of mammary tissues containing high- and low-MD (HMD and LMD, respectively) regions had Hounsfield Unit (HU) histograms with a bimodal pattern, with HMD regions exhibiting significantly higher HU values than LMD regions. Quantitative MD (%HMD) values obtained using μCT exhibited an excellent correlation with portable-NMR results, namely longitudinal spin-relaxation time constants (T1) and the relative tissue water content obtained from portable-NMR diffusion measurements (R2 = 0.92, p < 0.0001 and R2 = 0.96, p < 0.0001, respectively). These findings are consistent with our previous results demonstrating relatively high water content in HMD breast tissue, consistent with the high proportion of fibroglandular tissue, FGT, which in turn contains more abundant water-carrying HSPG proteins. We observed an excellent correlation between the T1 values and diffusion NMR-measured relative tissue water content (R2 = 0.94, p < 0.0001). These findings demonstrate, for the first time, the ability of single-sided portable NMR to accurately quantify MD in vitro on a continuous scale. The results also indicate that portable-NMR analysis can assist in the identification of features underpinning MD, namely FGT and adipose tissue content. Future work will involve application of portable NMR to quantifying MD in vivo.
Details
- Title
- Quantification of breast tissue density: Correlation between single-sided portable NMR and micro-CT measurements
- Authors
- Xuan Huang (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyTonima S Ali (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyTeresa Nano (Author) - Greenslopes Private HospitalTony Blick (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyBrian Wan-Chi Tse (Author) - Translational Research InstituteKamil Sokolowski (Author) - Translational Research InstituteMonique C Tourell (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyThomas Lloyd (Author) - Princess Alexandra HospitalErik W Thompson (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyKonstantin I Momot (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyHonor J Hugo (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
- Publication details
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Vol.62, pp.111-120
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc.
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.mri.2019.06.006
- ISSN
- 1873-5894
- PMID
- 31176808
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99516508802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
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Source: InCites